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NCWE Awards

The NCWE Awards ran for ten years and celebrated organisations across the UK - whatever their size or industry - that display very good practice in work experience.

The 2013 awards were our final year for holding the event. We started the awards to help publicise the importance of work experience and to encourage employers to offer high quality placements and internships. After 10 years, we have decided that although our work isn’t finished, we have certainly shifted the debate and many, many more employers are now offering properly thought through work experience opportunities.

2013 Awards - find out about the winners and highly commended organisations

Here's what some of our guests thought about the NCWE Awards, which was held in March at London's Merchant Taylors' Hall:

"From the nomination process to the event itself, the entire process was organised so well. All NCWE staff and those working at the venue were very welcoming and friendly. Fantastic venue, food and service. Entering, and being a finalist in the NCWE Awards, was an all-round very positive experience. Thank you very much!"

Alicia Luther-Jones, Barnardo's

"The service and venue was fantastic, and the food was absolutely delicious - many of my colleagues have heard rave reviews of this already! Overall the day was thoroughly enjoyable and even though we didn't win, we still felt privileged to be finalists."

Helen Fairbairn, Panasonic

"Considering it was my first time at this event I was slightly apprehensive but this feeling was short-lived as I was warmly received, and the drinks reception proved an ideal opportunity to mix with other participants in an idyllic surrounding. The meal was simply beautiful, presentation and taste can only be described as exceptional. The planning and delivery of the event was well executed, I must thank all the staff involved, as their sheer hard work had contributed to the awards ceremony being so successful."

Rajinder Saran, University of the West of England

"As a judge, I felt the entire process from selecting the finalists to the actual awards ceremony was very well organised and overall a brilliant occasion which I was proud to be a part of. The food was outstanding and I especially enjoyed the mixing of different organisations and celebrating the success of the placement schemes that have been well implemented into businesses."

Suzanna Jackson, former placement student from Manchester Metropolitan University

"The 2012 NCWE Awards have quite rightly grown in stature over the last few years based, no doubt, on both the worthiness of the cause, and also the excellent way in which the NCWE team host them. We're delighted and proud to have been the major sponsors for three of the last four years."

Jim Carrick-Birtwell, CEO & Founder, Changeboard.com (Major Sponsor)

"I loved the venue! The organisers and waiting staff made us feel welcomed and comfortable throughout the ceremony. It's a shame we didn't win the award but this only makes us to keep trying much harder! Thank you!"

Irma Gonzalez-Duque, British Red Cross

"It was a lovely opportunity for networking and, for us, meet fellow workers in the charity sector. What a lovely occasion - a real 'treat'."

Amanda Bailey, RAFT

"It was a very happy afternoon aided by spring sunshine - lovely venue, amazing food and it was nice to meet people from across the country who have a similar interest in good work experience."

Rhona Gibson, University of Aberdeen

"It was a beautiful venue and there was a lovely atmosphere in the room. It was great to meet lots of other finalists and find out what they're doing to promote positive work experiences."

Emma Taylor, Credos

"We were very proud to have been nominated for an award and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. It was nice networking with all the other nominees too."

Scarlett Stratford-Wright, Wunderman

"Always a thoroughly enjoyable event. Met some great people all passionate about work experience and a great motivational speech by Dr Paul Redmond."

Andrea Labrum, Lockheed Martin UK

"Fantastic venue and an exceptionally good guest speaker. Organisation of the event was spot on."

Dr Greg Whitfield, Irish Sea Conservation Zones

"This was a great day to connect; to take the time together to reflect and celebrate just what has been achieved to deliver outstanding work experience opportunities."

Rowanna Smith, The University of Exeter

"It was just brilliant to be in a room with so many people that see the value of investing time and energy into providing work experience opportunities. There was a great atmosphere!"

Catherine Lowe, Step Enterprise Ltd

"The venue was excellent. The quality of food and drink was very good. The guest speaker kept the atmosphere light and funny. The pace of the awards ceremony was good - not too long. It was a good opportunity to meet new people and learn about different organisations and services."

Caroline Oliver, SCA Hygiene Products UK Ltd

"The pace and tone was spot on - awards can be quite a lengthy process but these were well paced and the clever music links were noted!"

Richard Middleton, Cancer Research UK

"The guest speaker was entertaining and informative. Food was lovely!"

Joanne Tasnier, University of the West of England

"Good to meet other like minded companies in a pleasant and relaxed environment to celebrate and share good practice. The tone, content and pace of speaker/ award giving were very good."

Jane Measures, BP

"The speakers were great, and the audiovisual aspects. Food and venue also fantastic!"

Laura Steele, Student Hubs

"Very professional and well run event at a fantastic venue."

Jay Milling, Exeter City Football Club

"The guest speaker, Paul Redmond, was excellent. The environment was relaxed yet professional."

Mark Davies, SCA Hygiene Products UK Ltd

"The NCWE Awards was very well organised. The guest speaker was interesting and funny and didn't speak for too long. I was very appreciative of the fact the day ran to time."

Laura Hunt, Nabarro LLP

"Gaining national recognition for a particularly deserving employer was a highlight, as well as meeting up with the employer concerned - possible placement opportunities in his forthcoming new job (we might have lost touch if it hadn’t been for the event). Pleasant lunchtime company."

Dr Jonathan Lageard, Manchester Metropolitan University

"The NCWE Awards provides an opportunity for recognition and chance to hear from other professionals."

Sarah Nalborczyk, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

"It provided a great opportunity to network and make opportunities. It also helped update my knowledge of employer requirements and expectations and I heard some very interesting and valuable ideas."

Dr Noreen Axelby, Sheffield Hallam University

"Paul Redmond was an excellent speaker and we were lucky enough to be sat on his table. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day."

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